Traveling with light equipment

raid

raid

Dad Photographer
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This is one of the most repeated type threads. Which camera gear to pack.

I really need to be strong willed and insist [to myself] that it is best for me to carry minimal equipment in my upcoming one week trip overseas. It doesn't make much sense to me to lug around several 35mm cameras with several lenses, and then to also add a MF camera [just in case I should see a miracle in the making and a large negative is needed].

With this intention, I recently got a P&S Contax T2, hoping to get a small and light camera that "does it all". Well, it does not do it all.

Once I traveled only with a Rolleilfex TLR with a tiny Minox GT as back-up. It worked like a charm. However, I had no high speed lens and no wide angle lens.

I am now considering taking a Bessa T with a J-3 50/1.5 as my main gear, alongside a Bessa L with a 25mm/4. Sharpness is important to me, and both lenses can be sharp whe used the right way.

Am I witholding lenses I should be having with me in a March trip to Germany? I expect bad weather, so having too much gear would not be practical to carry around.

Do I need a tele lens? Such lenses are usually heavy. Maybe an old Elmar 90mm/4 or a Steinheil 85mm/2.8 would be suitable.

I want to use a very small camera bag in which all gear is stored. My camera handles three RF cameras with one lens each. A P&S with built-in flash would be handy for taking photos of friends and people that I may run into there.

My exotic outfit choice would be:

* Graflex XLW: This is a small and light MF acmera with wide angle lens.
* Horizon 202 panorama 35mm camera.

Any of the above is tempting for landscapes [if I see any].

:bang:

This is enough for right now.

Raid
 
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The light-weight traveling kit is always a revolving debate for photographers. My last trip abroad saw the Olympus XA with A11 flash, an M3 with a 50mm, and a CV 21mm. This gave me 21, 35, and 50 focal lengths, with very little kit. I never missed having a Tele lens. Often, just the XA went with me in a pocket. Whatever you decide, carry less. I find I actually shoot more pictures with less gear. Travel safely, and enjoy!
drew...
 
take a leica m3 with 25 or 28 and a 50.
lots of film and just enjoy the trip and remember this is a hobby and not a job.

joe
 
Drew: I am glad that you reminded me of the XA. I used it extensively while traveling in Japan two years ago, and I have ben using it a lot the past few weeks with XP2 film. Maybe a tele is not needed then.

Raid
 
Joe: I hear you. It is not a job, and this for sure. So maybe taking the M6 with the Summicron or the J-3, along with the 25mm/4 or a 28mm/2.8 and the XA would be "perfect" for my needs? Thanks for reminding me of the 28mm alternative.

Raid
 
hah - I thought you were going to be looking for tips on packing up flash heads and battery packs for air travel.

Guess I forgot which forum I was in. :D
 
I like to travel with no more than two bodies. In the film era, I took a fixed-lens point and shoot plus a Nikon RF camera with assortment of lenses.

These days, my point-and-shoot is a Canon Powershot G1 (3 megapixel, decent lens with zoom range equiv to 32-102mm at f/2 to f/2.5). Last two trips abroad, film camera was S3-2000 plus 25 or 28mm lens, 35/1.8 and 50/1.4. Sometimes I add a telephoto, sometimes not.
 
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my ultra light single body kit includes:

GR1s (28/2.8)
R2A with 21/4 and 35/2

if i bring a second body it's M3 with 50/2.8 or 50/1.4 if i expect to be shooting a lot at night or in low light... and maybe the Canon 85/2...

if i want MF and plan to shoot landscapes i bring the SWC with two A12 backs, if i plan to shoot candids and street i bring the Fuji GA645Pro instead...

when travelling with my girlfriend she carries a Yashica T4 Super at all times and usually gets better shots than I do... no matter what i'm carrying... (
 
depedns where and why are you traveling.
If you have no time for serious or semiserious shots, go superlightweight with one camera.
 
One camera, one lens and enjoy yourself. Less to worry about.

A Leica or Bessa and a fast 35 is really flexible. Having a second point and shoot like your T-2 loaded with color if you are shooting primarily black and white is nice too.

It sorta sounds from your post though like you really want to buy another piece of equipment or bring along multiple bodies and lenses though.
 
Raid,

My vote "from seeing your photos here for a while" is take a 50 (your mainstay) and a 25/28 lens for wide. Leave the tele at home. Take the P&S as a back-up.

This is exactly what I'm taking to Las Vegas this Thursday - Monday for PMA & the Nascar Race (garage & pit shots). (M8 / 28 Cron / 50 Lux / DLux3)

Whatever you take, enjoy the trip.

I really do agree with the stay light theory on trips where you want to see the area. Taking too much gear tends to change the focus to concentrating on photography vs. enjoying the area/culture and casually capturing your memories on film (or digital).

Best,

Ray
 
I'm going on a trip at the end of the month...
my choices:
Xpan with 45mm (color film)
Bessa R2 with 50mm f2 & 35mm/2.8 (B&W)

IF you wanted to spend MONEY - I would get a Xpan / Xpan II with a 45 and 90mm lenses...
this offers everything you need for traveling.
 
nightfly said:
One camera, one lens and enjoy yourself. Less to worry about.

A Leica or Bessa and a fast 35 is really flexible. Having a second point and shoot like your T-2 loaded with color if you are shooting primarily black and white is nice too.

It sorta sounds from your post though like you really want to buy another piece of equipment or bring along multiple bodies and lenses though.
Click to expand...
No, you are wrong about my wish to buy more stuff. I already have the Graflex and the Horizon cameras, if this is what gave you this idea.

Raid
 
Well, I think it is the IIf with Canon 25 in the neverready case, the CLE with 35/1,7 and T-E 90 and the 15 Heliar for some exotic opportunities. Still doubting about which camera will get the faster film. I think the CLE.
Too bad I don't have a 90 for the IIf yet.

These cameras have proved themselves as the strongest ones. Even shaking in camerabags and in very dusty environments. Unlike the Bessa T, that rangefinder is very good but vulnerable to dusty environments.
 
Rob: You have reminded me of my CL. Maybe it is better suited for this trip than the M3 or M6. The M3 has no meter and the M6 is still in mint condition. I just bought it recently. The CL would be great with a 28mm/2.8 Rokkor plus a 40mm/2 Summicron and maybe support it with the Elmar 90mm/4 as a minimal gear. As back-up, I could slip into my pocket the XA or T2 or GT.

Raid
 
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I think the CL with a 40 and a 90 is a great idea. If you pair it with a GR1 or any other P and S with a 28 mm lens you cover a hgh percentage of possible photos. CLs can develop meter problems, so you might want to think about bringing a small meter just in case.
 
I don't see any of my two favourites as backup. The use of the two is different. For the CLE I might even take along the big flash I used for the X-700, same brilliant system. If only the baselength was a little bigger... for the 1,2 Canon!
 
The CL would be challenging to use with the Canon 50/1.2 wide open, plus the Canon lens is heavy.

Raid
 
Oh yes, and the J-9 I just got from SP314 aka Sirhiy. It is absolutely beautiful. A little stiff on the focus but so will I when I am 50+ years old.
Looks like perfect at both close and distant focus!
 
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